As mentioned in my previous post, Bushy Park is the 2nd largest of London’s parks and has been settled for at least the past 4,000 years; with archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age. There is also evidence that the area was used in the medieval period for agricultural purposes. When Henry VIII took over Hampton Court Palace in 1529, he also took over the three parks that make up modern-day Bushy Park: Hare Warren, Middle Park and Bushy Park. A keen hunter, he established them as deer-hunting grounds. The area is also a protected nature reserve; home to red and fallow deer amongst other wild creatures, and is mostly open to the public, with a few roads open to traffic.

I had another peaceful walk alongside the Thames, towards Bushy Park and over the bridge. Despite the light breeze, the water was relatively calm.

Walking through Teddington once I had crossed the lock, I had to chuckle at some of the shop names. “Jude The Obscure” was a women’s clothing shop!

I walked down the central area of

Bushy Park, stopping at the Diana Fountain to watch a heron fishing. The fountain is a statue and water feature honouring the Roman Goddess Diana and was originally created for Somerset House in the 1630’s. Remodelled around 1690, the fountain has stood in Bushy Park since 1713, and forms the centre piece of a traffic circle near to Hampton Court Palace.

I haven’t yet been inside Hampton Court Palace, only done an

outside walkabout in 2007 with my sister, and by the time I got

there this time round, it was closing time, so I headed over the road to

Hampton Court Station and home. By the time I got back, it was almost 8pm and I had been out and

about for almost 15 hours!

A fabulously relaxing day, but my feet were not impressed. I estimated I must have walked about 14kms, but it was well worth the effort!